A “dangerous man” who manipulated and coerced a teenage girl into having sex with strangers has been jailed.
Antonio Pollio, 24, advertised the girl’s availability for sex online and posted explicit videos of the pair in a money-making enterprise.
The girl would have sex with men in Pollio’s Edinburgh flat and then hand over the money to him.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard the abuse began when the victim was aged just 15 and Pollio was 19.
Sentencing Pollio to four years and three months in prison, judge Lord Sandison said the court took a “very serious view” of the sexual exploitation of children and young people.
Pollio had earlier admitted arranging the provision of sexual services and the involvement in pornography of a girl under the age of 18.
The offending occurred between January and April 2019 and June and July 2020.
Pollio, whose previous convictions include a firearms offence and serious assault, had previously brought the girl food, drink and cigarettes, and claimed this was how she could repay him.
Although the girl told Pollio she did not wish to get involved, he later said she owed him money and did not have a choice over taking part.
Pollio was eventually caught after police were contacted over an unrelated incident. During a search, officers seized a laptop, clothing, drink and screenshots of messages.
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As well as being jailed, Pollio was added to the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.
After the court case, Detective Inspector Mhairi Cooper said: “Antonio Pollio is a dangerous man who manipulated and coerced a young female. He will now face the consequences of his actions.
“We treat all reports of sexual crime seriously and I would urge anyone who has been a victim to come forward, no matter how much time has passed, and report it to police.
“Be assured, we will fully investigate and you will be supported by police and our partner agencies.”
